10 minutes earlier

"What the hell did he do now?" Starbug shouted in interest and anger. She rushed over to Sabretooth's paralysed body. He was alive, with his health bar full, but was barely moving except for a few twitches and murmurs. They were in the middle of the road, wide in the open. The others were closing in, only ten remained total. Subaru checked the map scan, all were in a five block radius. It was time to move and come up with a new plan.

"I'll get the Humvee," stated Subaru with authority, "we are getting outta here right now. Multiple bogies are inbound. Starbug get the bugger ready to be put in. Sinon, support our 12 o'clock. They should be approaching from right ahead. C'mon, let's a go!"

Thus, Subaru ran as fast as he could back to the Humvee from before the firefight, while Starbug got Sabretooth up against a concrete bollard and Sinon took position right next to him. Patriot's body had long vanished into blue pixels alongside all of those who fell before him. Now, only loot covered the barren road. Perfect bait for those who remained. Ammunition was becoming more and more scarce now. One couldn't be picky with their weapon choices now. Sinon checked her ammo too.

"Only Six left for Hecate…" she grumbled, as she loaded another magazine into her Hecate, "still seven magazines for the MP7, what else do we have?"

Starbug slid over a M1 Garand then a red photon sword. "We have these. Dropped by one of the dudes that died after hitting the bomb bike. Plenty of ammo too for the M1. No idea why such so-called 'pro-player' would have such an out dated weapon. Probably better to pick up something else. As for the sword, I'd say keep it. Useful when the opponent is too close and nimble to be hit. Not for defecting bullets though."

She looked over the bollard at the loot spread across the road like a red carpet. However, it was a red carpet of enemy weapons and pistols. Starbug shook her head, nothing of much worth unless one was considering to become a gunslinger. Still, it was bait and some would take it. A pair darted onto the street upon a sleek black motorbike. They too were low on ammo but the situation made them too ambitious and care free for their own good. Both of them were in Sinon's sights. She loaded the chamber and fired.

The bullet flew true. It striked both of the riders in the head. They fumbled to the floor as the bike continued forwards chaotically swerving over potholes. Eventually, it smashed into a wrecked car, bursting into flames. Echoes of gunfire came out of the blue. Others were on their way and quickly. Sinon's face fell once the targets appeared: two Humvees loaded with MGs and players with attitudes to match full-auto 50 cals. The two were working together, against Sabot platoon. Machine gun fire rained like hail over their general location.

Luckily, Subaru had arrived (with a handbrake turn). "Get in!" he yelled, "we gotta shake them!"

Both Starbug and Sinon managed to fling Sabretooth into the back. The gunfire still rained down on their position. Bullets clanged over every surface. There was simply no other sound except for 50 cals and they were becoming more accurate with the humvees getting closer. Now their voices sung as loud as the machine guns. A disorderly choir of chaos lashed out over the steady drums of their guns. Their chorus sung of the destruction. It would be destruction for Sabot platoon unless a plan had came into being soon.

"We can't simply run away from two trucks!" moaned Starbug, "We need a better plan! Oh I know!"

She grabbed two mines from her menu, they appeared from blue pixels. Anti-tank mines, plenty enough to stop a Humvee.

"I'll stay behind, they will see us place the mines from this distance, not from point blank range. You two go ahead! Take Sabre with you and win this! Oh, you better! Send my regards to that Death Gun too."

The other two nodded, now was not the time to argue. Something had to be done and fast. Sinon climbed in, accepting the Garand and photon sword from Starbug with a nod. After a clunk and a screech, the Humvee jumped into motion. The engine roared through the gears and across grand holes. They left Starbug with a final wave and hope. Hope they could win against Death Gun. Starbug only giggled as she faced the approaching Humvees from behind the bollard. She waited. Now the clangs of the suspension could be heard. Only 50 metres to go. Cheers from the vehicles instantaneously crumbled into fear and desperation. Starbug left the safety of the concrete bollard, with her hands full of mines. They were too close to correct their course. To their left, rows upon rows of wrecked vehicles that could stop the strongest of vehicles with a vicious conclusion to their journey. To their right, an endless row of skyscrapers (definitely not for any kind of vehicle). The Humvees could only push forward with 50 cals blazing away. This was Starbug's time to shine against the odds. She cheered.

"You're gonna crash like a ZX81!" Her final words before the Humvees got too close and the mines were activated. Then, there was only fire.

The explosion was only a speck in the rear view mirrors. Still, from this distance, both Subaru and Sinon saw that the plan worked somehow. Both Humvees had become burning wrecks. None could have survived being that close to an anti-tank mine. Not even a tank could've survived. But, from this distance, all noise was a whisper in the wind: the crackling of fire, the creaking of hot metal, the jingles of ammunition bouncing against each other, all barely audible. All that mattered now was to extend the distance between them and the wrecks, just in case anyone else was within ear-shot.

Sinon looked back from her seat in the front still holding the M1 given by Starbug (the photon sword had been placed into a cup holder). Sabretooth was still as motionless as before. She rested a hand upon him. Cold as ice. Still no reaction either. "What could have caused such a thing? One moment he was fighting that other guy, next he just collapsed."

"I overheard a part of the conversation," answered Subaru, keeping his eyes on the road ahead. "I think they were friends, many moons ago. But, he's been dealt with. We should focus on what to do next. Can't just wait for Seiba to wake up, I'm sure you got somethin' right? Right? Please say you have something!"

"I am thinking… Maybe wait for the next scan to start to see how many there still is? Let's get out of the city first though. Then, we can decide on a plan."

"Eh, fair enough. Next stop, outer city!"

Thus, the Humvee kept on chugging along over holes and around other wrecks. They never looked back again, there was only what was ahead that mattered. A final showdown to see who was the strongest. They just had to get there while pulsing red eyes watched from far behind. The eyes stared as the Humvee vanished from view along with a flying drone camera. He had to stay hidden. What use is an assassin that can't hide?

The figure wondered to the burning wrecks. Winds from the burning metal blew the black cape in powerful gusts. No survivors. Every body here had a dead marker hung above them in deep red. Their weapons were spread evenly around the wrecks. Nothing for an assassin however. Assault rifles without ammo. A pistol that could only fire flares. Even grenade launcher with a shell still inside the chamber. He had hoped for something useful, anything for long range firefights. But no, nothing caught his piercing eyes, except for one particular weapon. It was still activated, as evident by a shallow hum emitted by the weapon. A blue glow shone dimly against the roaring red flames. A photon sword. Unconventional but maybe useful. He gently removed the sword from a Humvee's wheel. It was willing to serve a new master, glowing brighter in satisfaction. A puff of smoke left the metal mask.

"Nothing will get on our way. Nothing! After we win this tournament all will fear the name: Death Gun!"

He then climbed back onto a sleek black bike and powered after the three. Victory was the only thing on his mind, Victory meant others would take him more seriously, at least that was the plan. Just three more obstacles remained. One was collapsed, one rivalled his aim and the other was the third wheel. The driver would be the first to go, a loose end and unpredictable. It would be a step closer to victory after all.

Minutes had passed as the miles dragged on. The city outskirts were far behind by now. Metal and concrete had given way to countless miles of desert and ruins. Cutting right through the desert, was a battered highway. Its surface had been covered in sand that scuttled along the tarmac in waves. Through this, the beige Humvee powered through. Rattles and squeaks shook the vehicle gently over the pitter-patter of sand brushing against metal. Subaru yawned. Then yawned again. The road hadn't changed at all since leaving the city. Swerves all felt the same after a while. Only the occasional fallen sign proved any form of entertainment with attempting to read what was written upon them. Of course, they were all too faded to read. Sinon merely stared out of the window, hand on cheek. Even for her some form of boredom had began to set in even only after a few minutes. So much action had occurred only for them to be in complete silence now.

Suddenly, a beeping sound. The scan was beginning. Sinon opened up the map as a fine line made its way from north to south. Once, dozens of red dots covered the map in clusters, waging war in their own ways. Now, hours later, barely any remained now. The line continued downwards, still no red dots. It passed over them: there were four red dots. The fourth was close, and behind them. Then, the line reached the bottom, the scan was complete. There were only four players left. Who was the other player that managed to survive so long? How did they catch their scent? Was it him?

"One other player on our trail, I can't see them yet." Began Sinon, still studying the luminous blue map. "They're the last one. After this long stretch, there's a cave on the next bend we could head in and figure out a plan."

"Ah, wonderful! We just need to get there and-" As Subaru adjusted the rear-view mirror a bullet smashed into it, shattering the mirror instantly. Then the echo came. A loud roar of vengeance was growing closer. "Get in the back and see if you can't get him!"

Sinon placed the sword in her pocket and flung the Garand over her shoulder before climbing into the rear seats. She opened the rear window. To the side of a wrecked lorry, with its trailer still attached, a bike screamed passed. Its engine squealed between the gears. The driver seemed familiar. Black cloak, bits of grey here and there, piercing red eyes… Oh, it was him, no doubt about it.

"I got good news and bad news," Sinon called back, summoning her trusty Hecate, "Good news: I've identified the other player. Bad news: it is Death Gun. Why now of all times? Sabretooth still out of action?"

"Unfortunately so, we need to buy some time. Take him out!"

He put the pedal to the metal, trying to extend the distance between them. Death Gun only grew closer with very yard travelled. Sinon knelt against the rear window and began to aim. Between the swerving of the Humvee and the bike, a steady shot wouldn't come by easily. She had to aim well. Six shots, only one had to hit.

First shot out. It glanced the figure before embedding itself into the tarmac. No good. Extract the shell and chamber the next. Five more tries.

Second shot out. The right side handlebar was sheered off, which was swiftly abandoned. Better, but still no good. Extract and chamber. Four more tries.

Third shot out. Too high. The Humvee crossed a huge pothole, ending in an ear shattering metallic scrape back up on the other side. Something came off too, a piece of metal. But, the sheet disappeared too quickly under the blowing sand to be identified. Extract and chamber. Three more tries.

By now, Death Gun had readied his sniper rifle. He lent it against the dash of the bike while holding the gun (and the trigger) with his right hand. How he was still in control of the bike was beyond Sinon, but time was quickly vanishing. The corner, and thus the cave, was only a few hundred metres away. Something had to be done, hit him or the bike! She readied the fourth shot. Just for the perfect moment, between debris and correct prediction of where he's turning to… Now!

Fourth shot out. Perfect! Right into the front tyre. It disintegrated there and then. However, Death Gun got a shot off in return too. Just before he smashed head first into the tarmac, the trigger was pressed. The shot echoed much louder than before, it wouldn't miss a second time. Luckily, the shell passed right over Sinon, less than an inch between them. On the other hand, unluckily, the bullet crashed into the driver seat's headrest and thus Subaru.

Suddenly, the Humvee veered off the road just as the predicted corner came. Up a titanic dune the vehicle thundered along. Sinon could only hold on. She was a passenger in this uncontrollable death trap.

A tumble, a roll, a splash, an over revving engine. Cold water? A dripping sound from above that felt like the seats? Sight returned to Sinon quickly. It was over. Although, what she saw gave her a sinking feeling: the Humvee was upside down in a shallow river and water was gushing in. All survivors had to escape quickly. She squeezed through the front seats to check on Subaru. He wouldn't be taking part anymore. Red pixels still danced off his forehead from before the crash. A perfect headshot from a crashing bike. She finally knew what she was up against: a cold-hearted efficient murderer. Death Gun surely survived his tumble too.

"No time!" Sinon whispered to herself, kicking the passenger door off, "Need to… get to… Cave now."

With all of her might that remained, she dragged Sabretooth's still motionless body out of the wreck and downhill to a small cave. The shallow river ran down there, picking up droplets from the crashed Humvee. She pulled and pulled, even humming while she continued through water, rock and sand. After some serious back pains and a few trip off, they eventually made it into the cave. The warmth of the artificial sun faded rapidly as the welcoming icy wind came from deeper within the cave. Droplets fell in loose harmony alongside other droplets. Finally, peace among the darkness. None of the scorching sand outside could reach inside this much, but could Death Gun?

For now, Sinon dragged Sabre to a dry, flat spot. None of the water reached here, but still echoed throughout the cave. A mostly quiet place to think and wait. Wait and think.

"So, that's what happened? Wow, kind of wished I got out of my little issue quicker…" Sabretooth now understood their position, "Hand over the M1."

From her inventory, Sinon grabbed the Garand and handed it over to Sabretooth. He inspected it thoroughly. From the metal end to the wooden stock, he analysed it all before handing it back.

"One thing I've learnt while trapped by… myself just now, is that you have to take responsibility for your actions, but not so heavily it starts to harm you in the head. It'll ruin you for the rest of your life. Sometimes you just need to… let it go, that's what I- no we came to the conclusion of. Come to terms with your past, then deal with your present. You are yourself, nothing more or less. If you didn't do that action that apparently ruined your life up until now, what would have been the result? Much worse I'd imagine."

"I-if I didn't do that action…" Sinon murmured to herself. Yes, that event. What if she didn't grab that gun or even pull the trigger? She would have lost another member of her family, or even not survived herself. Moreover, she wouldn't be here. All of the events, friends and adventure, never existed. Her life may have been a lot worse, a 'necessary evil' in a way. "I guess you're right. My life would have been a lot worse if I hadn't pulled that trigger. Thank you, Sabre. I will be more proud of being… Me. But, there is currently a more pressing issue, our common opponent?"

"Don't think I forgot about him. Although the Garand does give me an idea. We got anything else on hand?"

"I got some magazines for that MP7 and 2 more rounds for the Hecate. Oh, and a red photon sword. I doubt it'll be useful though."

Sabretooth chuckled a little before aiming down the sights of the M1. Iron sights, no glare from a reflection. It was perfect alongside some swords. Yes, everything fell into place just right. Would it work? Perhaps. Just needs for their opponent to agree with it.

"Alright, I have a plan. Stick to it and we will be out of this mess. Then we can have a little duel after, whoever wins take the golden trophy. You in?"

Sinon nodded and listened carefully to Sabretooth's plan with surprise and agreement.

Writer's Notes:

Panzer_Bros:

Now, onto the final duels of the Battle of Bullets! I hope this next section will be a good read to highlight their struggles finally coming together as one to counter the evil they swore to fight. I also hope to tie off some loose ends and conclude this little fanfic well enough too, so stick around for that too.

This chapter is a little shorter than previous ones as it was mostly what happened during chapter 13.5, thus being of similar length. Plus, a little extra. Hope you all enjoyed reading this chapter!